Football Drops Non-Conference Finale to Union, 49-6

Football Drops Non-Conference Finale to Union, 49-6

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Dutchmen of Union College defeated Curry College, 49-6, on Saturday evening, spoiling the Colonels non-conference finale. Union improved to 4-0 while Curry slipped to 2-2.

The Dutchmen were the first team to get on the board in the contest as Ike Irabor (Braintree, Mass.) capped off a six-play, 52-yard drive with a rush from 27 yards out to snag the first score of the contest. Marcos Rodriquez (West Palm Beach, Fla.) tacked on the point after to push the lead to 7-0.

Union scored on all three of its possessions in the second quarter to break the game open. Quarterback Will Bellamy (Lafayette, La.) connected with Griffin Beal (North Reading, Mass.) from 23 yards out to complete a seven-play, 49-yard drive in 1:55.

The next possession for the Colonels was halted after four plays as Chris Nicholas (Andover, Mass.) intercepted a pass from David Keogh (Mahopac, N.Y.). The Dutchmen capitalized off the turnover and went 37 yards in 11 plays to cross the goal line on a three-yard pass from Bellamy to Pat Ryan (Hopkinton, Mass.). With another successful point after, Union went up 21-0.   

Curry's next drive would only go three yards in six plays before punting away to the Dutchmen. Union then took the ball 62 yards in 10 plays to score once again. Irabor tacked on his second rushing score of the game with a scamper from a yard out to push the score to 28-0 after a good extra point.

After a three-and-out from Union to start the third quarter, Curry would get the ball back on their own seven-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Nick Juvelier (Centereach, N.Y.) completed a pass to Nick Villanueva (Hanson, Mass.), but Sebastien Lubrano (Danville, Calif.) forced a fumble, was recovered by Colin Lama (Stoughton, Mass.) and returned five yards for the touchdown. Rodriguez converted the point after to put the Dutchmen 35-0.

The following possession for the Colonels stalled after six plays and 23 yards. Union wasted little time and went 50 yards in just three plays and 1:13 with another Irabor touchdown, this time from 57 yards out. Rodriguez tacked on the extra point to increase the lead to 42-0.

The Colonels were able to get on the board on their drive as they went 66 yards in five plays, capped off by a 47-yard touchdown strike from Juvelier to Mike DelGais (East Rockaway, N.Y.). The point after from Nick Oliveira (East Providence, R.I.) was blocked to have the score remain, 42-6.

The final scoring of the game came on the next possession as Bellamy hooked up with Andre Ross, Jr. for a 63-yard touchdown pass and with another extra point conversion, the lead would get pushed to 49-6.

The Dutchmen offense was led by Bellamy who threw for 221 yards and three touchdowns, while also running two times for four yards. Irabor led the game with 125 yards rushing and also scored three touchdowns.

Defensively, Lubrano led the team with seven tackles and a forced fumble. Tim Coyle was close behind with six tackles, a fumble recovery for five yards, and one QB hurry. Daniel Gioioso (Walpole, Mass.) also finished with six tackles while adding a half a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

The Colonels were led by Juvelier, who went 13-19 for 112 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Zach Levy (Bellingham, Mass.) racked up 48 yards on 10 carries to lead Curry in the ground game. DelGais hauled in five catches for 75 yards and a score. Villanueva caught five for 33 yards.

On the other side of the ball, sophomore Marcus Greenidge (Flushing, N.Y.) led the game with nine total tackles, including one for a loss. Devin Williams (Gardner, Mass.) recorded eight tackles (1.5 for loss). Davante' Thomas (Norwalk, Conn.) rounded out the defensive leaders with seven total tackles and one pass break up.

Curry will return home on Saturday, September 29 at home against Endicott at 1:00 p.m. for their CCC Football opener. Next weekend also marks Curry's annual Homecoming and Family Weekend. Union enters their bye week.  

For the latest on Curry Athletics, follow the Colonels via social media on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube